16-Year-Old Still Missing After Entering the Ocean in Ensenada | Photo: Ensenada Fire Department
What started as a regular Monday beach day turned into an emergency rescue at Estero Beach, Ensenada.
At 3:58 PM on June 9, a distress call was made: four teens entered the ocean near Ex Ejido Chapultepec—only three came back. A search immediately began for the fourth, who hasn’t resurfaced.
But here’s what many don’t know: Estero Beach isn’t as friendly as it looks.
This spot is infamous for powerful ocean currents. It’s where estuary and sea meet, creating swirling waters that pull swimmers out fast. Locals and authorities have repeatedly warned: don’t swim far, and never go deep.
According to SEMARNAT, unfamiliarity with ocean conditions and poor judgment—like ignoring lifeguards or signs—are leading causes of drownings.
Sadly, this beach has seen similar accidents before. And while lifeguards do their best, nature doesn’t negotiate.
Authorities haven’t yet released the teen’s name, but efforts to locate him continue.
Hollywood may have Tinseltown, but Ensenada could be next in line for the spotlight.
Netflix executives recently visited Ensenada to move forward with talks and planning for what could become the streaming giant’s first full-blown production center in Mexico. The proposed location? A sprawling 40-hectare site in the area known as Ciudad Jatay, part of Ensenada’s up-and-coming industrial zone.
Mayor Claudia Agatón Muñiz confirmed that negotiations are already about 30% advanced. And the city isn’t sitting still—the municipal government is offering Netflix all the support it needs to bring lights, cameras, and lots of action to Baja.
Why Jatay? Well, Netflix seems smitten with Ensenada’s unbeatable combo: close to California (aka movie mecca), stable climate, stunning landscapes, and a rich cultural backdrop. Think desert, ocean, vineyards, and mountains—all within a day’s shoot.
But that’s not all. As part of the budding collaboration, Netflix is also considering filming a historical epic about Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, the explorer who first spotted the San Mateo Bay in 1542—now known as the Bay of Ensenada. This project would highlight the region’s role in history while showing off Ensenada’s jaw-dropping views.
Mayor Agatón says the goal is to craft a visually stunning, historically accurate film, teaming up with local historians and creatives. And the proposed production center? It’ll be equipped with cutting-edge technology, ready to host high-quality film and video shoots—and give a major boost to local jobs across hospitality, transportation, tech, and the arts.
She also revealed plans for a water supply and recycling system to serve the new film hub and nearby housing zone—solving one of the major roadblocks to getting this project rolling.
Ensenada might soon be more than a weekend escape—it could be the next must-film location for the world’s biggest streaming service.
Get ready to loosen your belts and sharpen your forks—Cocina La Baja 2025 is almost here, and it’s not just another food festival. It’s a full-on flavor storm with a side of community pride. Taking place July 12 at Estero Beach in Ensenada, this isn’t your average “eat, snap, repeat” event. It’s where the sea, land, and kitchen come together in one giant, delicious hug.
We got the inside scoop straight from the salty crew themselves—ChefOliver Seki (a.k.a. Heart & Flavor Ambassador), Oceanographer Rogelio Cano Cetina (General Coordinator and Sea Whisperer), Chef Hugo Lara (Gastronomic Soul), and media mouthpiece Enrique Montiel, who invited us to dive in. Literally.
From left to right: Oceanographer Rogelio Cano Cetina (General Coordinator of Cocina La Baja), Chef Hugo Lara (Gastronomic Ambassador), Chef Oliver Seki (Heart & Flavor Ambassador), PhD. Luisa Rosas (Managing Editor and writer at Gringo Gazette North), and Oliver Quintero (Publisher, Gringo Gazette North). Interview held at Seki Japanese Baja Cuisine.
It’s Not Just Food—It’s a Love Letter to Baja
What makes Cocina La Baja so special? Simple. It’s all about product, producers, chefs, and the people. You won’t find pretentious menus or imported fluff. Just fresh Baja seafood, local legends in the kitchen, and zero room for ego. Every bite tells the story of a fisherman, a family, a tide that turned.
This year’s star ingredients? Golden sea bream, oysters, abalone, sea urchin, and even edible algae. If it lives in the Pacific and pairs well with a Sauvignon Blanc (and it does), you’ll probably taste it.
45 Chefs. 45 Producers. One Giant Culinary Fiesta
That’s right—this year features 45 restaurant-producer dream teams. No one pays for a spot, but everyone earns it. Participants commit to fair trade, sustainability, and promoting Baja’s sea treasures.
There’s even a “People’s Choice” competition, so yes, your opinion—and appetite—matter.
Speaking of seafood drama, rumor has it the tuna gets a full ronqueo (butchering show) courtesy of Baja Aqua Farms, and sushi legend Cesar Martínez might be slicing up some nigiris. Add a virtual reality station, cornhole, DJ beats, and a performance by Ensenada’s own Rondalla, and you’ve got a perfect Saturday.
What About the Environment?
Glad you asked. Cocina La Baja isn’t just chewing—it’s thinking. Expect biodegradable materials, zero-waste commitments, and speakers from Pronatura Noroeste and COMEPESCA talking real sustainability. There’s even a marine workshop for university students with protein raffles, because yes, science can be tasty.
And because this is Baja, it’s pet-friendly. You can bring your dog, just don’t expect a seafood bowl or water dispensers.
More Than a Festival—It’s a Movement
Born in 2016 as a non-profit government project (originally called Baja Seafood Export), Cocina La Baja has grown from 200 attendees to an expected crowd of 3,000 this year. Tickets are limited to 1,500 but trust us, it’ll feel like the whole peninsula showed up.
This is the second year the event honors the late Minerva Pérez Castro, a fierce voice in the local fishing community. Her legacy lives on in the Premio Minerva, celebrating innovation and commitment to Baja’s maritime identity.
And yes—we’ll be there too, proudly counted in that 3,000-strong crowd. Find us near the oyster stand or the wine bar.
Don’t Miss It
So, if you’ve got 950 pesos, an empty stomach, and a love for food that tells a story—Cocina La Baja is where you need to be. No VIP lounges, no fluff. Just Baja being Baja.
We’ll see you at Estero Beach. Come hungry, leave a believer.
A routine pre-race run during the Baja 500 turned into a nightmare—and now the driver behind the wheel may be facing some serious consequences.
A Mexican district judge has issued an arrest warrant for Rolf Helland, the American driver of the Norsemen Racing Trophy Truck, after a fatal accident in Ejido Eréndira, part of San Vicente. According to the investigation, Helland was pre-running the course on June 2 when his truck allegedly collided with a compact vehicle, killing Felipe Aréchiga Ríos, 38, a local resident.
The crash happened on Calle 16 de Septiembre. Witnesses say the victim’s family rushed him to the nearest health center—but due to the severity of his injuries, Felipe couldn’t be stabilized in time for transfer to a larger hospital. He died shortly after arriving.
Helland, on the other hand, was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in the U.S., where he remains. The arrest warrant issued by the Baja California Attorney General’s Office has yet to be carried out due to his absence from Mexican territory.
But the story doesn’t end there.
In a move that surprised some and calmed others, SCORE International—the famed off-road racing organization behind the Baja 500—has stepped in as a mediator between the Norsemen Racing team and the victim’s family. According to SCORE director José Alfredo Grijalva Carranza, both parties have reached a preliminary damage settlement in the wake of the crash.
Yes, you read that right: there’s a tentative agreement. SCORE, the family’s legal reps, and Norsemen Racing’s team, specifically with Helland’s legal counsel, have been ironing out the details in the hopes of avoiding further escalation—including the potential for protests and blockades in Eréndira.
“We’ve been serving as the go-between,” said Helios Palafox, legal advisor for the Aréchiga family. “There are actually two intermediaries working to make sure this ends with dignity and justice.”
The agreement includes financial compensation to the victim’s family, facilitated by the racing team’s insurance provider. SCORE announced that the terms of the agreement are expected to be fulfilled by Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
Still, the legal case against Helland remains open. Despite the financial agreement, the criminal investigation continues, and authorities in Baja California have not ruled out future legal action once the driver returns to Mexican jurisdiction.
This isn’t the first time SCORE International finds itself juggling the fast and furious with the serious and tragic. The high-octane world of off-road racing in Baja has long been romanticized—dust, adrenaline, and roaring engines through remote pueblos. But the events of June 2 are a grim reminder that these races run through real communities, with real people, and real consequences.
Locals in Eréndira had initially considered protesting the race, potentially blocking access routes in the days following the accident. The swift move toward mediation helped de-escalate tensions, at least for now.
Whether justice will catch up to Helland is another question.
For now, the wheels of the Trophy Truck have stopped—but the wheels of justice are still spinning.
What started as a quiet early Friday morning turned into smoke, sirens, and a frustrating crawl. Around 2:30 a.m. Friday, a cargo trailer flew off the scenic Tijuana–Ensenada highway near km 72 in La Salina. The impact ignited the truck, lighting up the cliffs like a bonfire gone very wrong.
Firefighters from Station Obregón, along with a rescue team, responded quickly. While putting out the blaze, they discovered a charred body inside the cab. No ID confirmed yet. The cause? Still unclear. The aftermath? Brutal.
📸 Photo and video by the GGNorth team
Drivers on Friday experienced delays of 5 to 15 minutes—an eternity when you’re trying to make it to brunch or beat the Market rush. Locals called it “business as usual” for this bumpy stretch of paradise.
👉 And What About Baja?
This isn’t the first time this stretch of highway makes headlines. Between rockslides, closures, and now flaming trucks, it’s becoming more of a scenic gamble than a scenic route. Is it time to invest in a safer plan? Or just carry extra patience (and gas)?
#Breaking #GGNorth #NoBadNews
Stuck in traffic? Caught it on camera? Share it with us—we’re all in this lane together.
It’s not a breakup. It’s a full-blown digital war.
Once upon a tweet, Elon Musk and Donald Trump were pals—posting praise, sharing platforms, and backing each other up in the strangest bromance this side of politics. But that bromance? Over. Done. Roasted.
Now they’re digging up receipts from years ago and launching digital grenades across their platforms—Musk on X (formerly Twitter), and Trump on Truth Social. Yes, they each have their own social network, because of course they do.
So what’s this fight really about?
Trump’s latest jab? Accusing Musk of breaching federal contracts and being nothing more than a self-serving opportunist. Musk clapped back with a reminder that he reinstated Trump’s X account and expected at least a thank-you card. Then came the interviews, leaked emails, and snide comments—all making it clear: these two are not getting brunch anytime soon.
Former bromance parked permanently
And why should Baja care?
Because Mexico, especially border regions like ours, could very well end up in the middle of this fallout.
Trump hinted (again) that under his leadership, companies that don’t invest inside U.S. borders shouldn’t expect favors. So what happens if Musk takes that personally? What if he turns his gaze to Baja, where land, talent, and cross-border logistics are ready for the taking?
Our region has long been a tempting option for clean energy, aerospace, and tech investment. If Musk is looking to break ties with U.S. institutions and flex his independence, Baja California could be more than just a pit stop—it could be a plan B.
Was Musk just campaign arm candy?
Let’s be honest. A lot of people now believe Musk was paraded around for political clout—just another shiny endorsement to rally Silicon Valley voters. But when the confetti cleared, there was no love lost. No thanks. No recognition. Just cold, hard business.
What happens next?
Will Musk retaliate with major moves outside U.S. soil? Will Baja benefit from the fallout of two billionaire egos colliding? Or will this drama just fade into the internet void?
One thing’s for sure: we’re watching. And we’re not judging—some of our readers here still have MAGA hats, others drive Teslas.
But while these two throw punches online, we’ll sit back, open a chilled glass of 80% Chenin Blanc 20% French Colombard (yes, Lola by Symmetríaif you can find it), and enjoy the show.
Because if you’re going to watch the world’s richest man and one of its loudest ex-presidents duke it out, at least do it with a bit of Baja class.
Just days before the engines roar to life for the 2025 SCORE Baja 500, a tragic accident has left one man dead in the quiet coastal town of Ejido Eréndira, part of the San Vicente delegation near Ensenada.
On Monday, June 2 at approximately 3:54 p.m., local authorities responded to a crash along 16 de Septiembre Street. What they found was devastating: two mangled vehicles at the bottom of an arroyo—a gray Toyota Scion with ANAPROMEX plates, and a black and white trophy truck, number 37, from Team Norsemen.
The driver of the Toyota, 38-year-old Felipe Aréchiga Ríos, was reportedly still alive when family members rushed him in a private vehicle toward medical care. But hours later, he was confirmed dead at the San Vicente Health Center, with reports noting a deep head injury and severe trauma to the left arm.
As for the drivers of the trophy truck, both were airlifted from the scene by helicopter. The destination? Unknown. The names? Unconfirmed by authorities, though online posts have pointed fingers at drivers Ricky D. Johnson and Rolf Helland of Norsemen Racing. Social media posts from family members claim the pair were speeding during a pre-run on an unsigned route and fled the scene without offering aid. These claims have not been officially confirmed, as Norsemen Racing has yet to release a public statement. While the truck involved in the accident bore the names of the team’s registered drivers, some speculate that, because it was a pre-run, team staff members— and not the official drivers—may have been behind the wheel.
The Ensenada police department’s traffic division concluded that the trophy truck was at fault. The Baja California State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) has taken over the investigation to determine legal responsibility. As of now, SCORE International has not released a statement regarding the incident.
The Baja 500 is scheduled to take place June 4–8, with the main race running on Saturday, June 7. But for many in Eréndira, the mood has shifted from celebration to outrage. The victim’s family is now calling for accountability from SCORE and has even threatened to boycott the race unless action is taken.
This isn’t the first time tragedy has cast a shadow over Baja’s legendary off-road events. During the 2024 Baja 1000, two American spectators were killed and two others injured when a driver from Team Buehler Motors abruptly accelerated during a mechanical inspection, plowing into a group of people. The driver, described by organizers as inexperienced and reckless, was detained, and the vehicle was confiscated. That incident prompted both local and state-level sanctions against SCORE International, as officials criticized the lack of control and accountability during event operations.
Whether these are isolated incidents or signs of systemic oversight, one thing is becoming clear: Baja’s off-road races are facing growing scrutiny—and calls for safer practices are only getting louder.
Whether this was a reckless oversight or a tragic miscalculation, one thing is clear: a life was lost before the green flag even waved. And now, a community is demanding answers.
If you think sailing is just a weekend hobby, think again. For Andrea Harley Ruiz Morales from Ensenada, sailing is a test of strength, focus, and relentless perseverance—and this year, it paid off in silver.
A Sea of Talent in Yucatán
At the 2025 Olimpiada Nacional CONADE, Mexico’s most important national sports event for young athletes, one Ensenadense sailor stood out. Andrea Harley Ruiz Morales, just 17 years old, clinched a silver medal in the ILCA 6 women’s category (ages 17–18), proving her consistency after winning bronze the year before.
What’s ILCA 6?
ILCA stands for International Laser Class Association. The ILCA 6 category refers to a specific type of single-handed sailboat, known for its agility and physical demands. Competitions are intense, often involving nine one-hour races over three days. Victory depends not on who wins most races, but who accumulates the fewest points—making every second and every gust of wind count.
Andrea Harley Ruiz and her coach Jorge Kornegay celebrate after securing the silver medal at the 2025 National Sailing Olympics.
Hard Work Behind the Sails
Andrea’s preparation has been no small feat. She trains every weekend under the guidance of coach Jorge Kornegay Sánchez and hits the gym during the week. Earlier this year, she competed in an international regatta in Cancún and trained for three weeks in Acapulco to get ready for this big event. Boats for the competition were rented in Valle de Bravo and shipped to Yucatán—a logistical move common in this sport due to high costs and distances.
Not Just About Speed
Sailing isn’t always smooth seas. In one of the races, other competitors had to drop out after their masts broke—a reminder of how physically and technically demanding the sport is. Andrea, however, remained steady, showing the kind of resilience and focus that wins medals.
Rising Star from Ensenada
Andrea’s back-to-back medals—bronze in her first national showing and now silver—are proof of her growth and potential. She’s not just representing Baja California; she’s putting Ensenada on the map in the world of sailing.
Cheers from the Port
A huge shoutout to Andrea Harley for her determination and grit, and to coach Jorge Kornegay for supporting her journey. From Ensenada’s shores to national waters, this duo is charting a course for greatness.
If you thought Ensenada’s port had seen it all—piña coladas, mariachi send-offs, and sunburnt cruise tourists clutching giant margaritas—think again.
On Monday, June 2, Royal Caribbean’s “Ovation of the Seas”, one of the world’s largest cruise ships, officially became the biggest floating city to ever dock in Baja California. And it did so with flair, ease… and roughly 4,284 passengers and 1,500 crew members ready to stretch their legs (and swipe their cards).
Bigger Than Your Airbnb
Let’s break it down: this ship is 347 meters long (that’s more than three football fields), weighs over 168,000 tons, and is taller than a 16-story building. It’s got rock climbing walls, a skydiving simulator, and robotic bartenders—because who needs human hands when you’ve got sea views and a rum punch?
Ovation’s arrival is not just a tourism flex. It proves that Ensenada is now equipped to handle some of the biggest cruise liners on Earth, thanks to recent upgrades to its docking infrastructure by API Ensenada and SECTURE.
#Ovation of the Seas” docked in Ensenada on Monday, June 2, 2025—officially the biggest cruise ship ever to visit Baja California
Cha-Ching for the Local Economy
Let’s talk numbers. A ship like this drops serious pesos into the city—restaurants fill up, street vendors cash in, and tour buses do overtime. According to officials, each passenger spends an average of $75–100 USD during port calls. Multiply that by 4,000 and—yeah, let’s just say La Bufadora had a good day.
A Warm (and Foggy) Baja Welcome
Despite some light marine haze, the port crew pulled it off like pros. There were welcome committees, security briefings, and enough souvenirs on display to outfit a small country. Local artisans, food stalls, and city tours were ready and waiting.
Why It Matters
Tourism in Baja isn’t slowing down—it’s scaling up. With more megaships like this one already on schedule, Ensenada is carving out its name as a serious West Coast cruise hub, not just a sleepy tequila stop.
And hey, if you spot a floating city out your window this week, don’t panic—it’s just Ovation of the Seas reminding us that sometimes, size does matter.
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